resources
Evaluating Impact
A recurring theme throughout the discussions about a New Narrative for our sector
is the need to highlight impact. When Canadians evaluate charities and nonprofits
they often focus on financial details — which of course are important — but
sometimes do so at the expense of considering an organization’s impact.1 During
our consultations we learned that while some in the sector are expert at evaluating
impact, others struggle to find the time, expertise and resources to do it well.
Given the diversity of charitable and nonprofit organizations it would be difficult to provide
a ‘one size fits all’ measurement tool. Similarly, some aspects of our sector’s work — such
as contributing to social change — make measuring impact a challenge. However, as we try
to broaden public understanding of our work it is crucial that we are able to explain not just
what we do but the difference we make.
Brian Emmett, Imagine Canada’s Chief Economist for the Charitable and Nonprofit Sector,
will soon be working on a project designed to offer practical guidance on impact eva­
luation. To quote Brian, “Measurement of a lot of things charities and governments do is
hard. It is hard for government with all their resources. It will be harder for charities. But it
is inescapable. I think the way to square this circle is for charities to start off simple and get
more sophisticated over time — don’t be paralyzed by complexity — start to do it and learn
over time by doing.”
KEY EVALUATION TOOLS
The following Imagine Canada tip sheets provide information to help charities and
nonprofits understand and use some key evaluation tools:
•Project Evaluation
•Focus Groups
•Conducting Surveys
•Designing Questionnaires
•Knowledge Transfer
•Interviewing for Research
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1
For examples of our
sector’s impact, please
see the Core Resource
and Philanthropic Success
Stories in Canada, Imagine
Canada, 2007.
Issued on February 19, 2014
•Project Evaluation Guide for Nonprofit Organizations: Fundamental Methods
and Steps for Conducting Project Evaluation, Imagine Canada, 2006.
•Mapping Progress with a Purpose, Maytree and Ontario Trillium Foundation, 2012.
•Innoweave’s module on Impact and Strategic Clarity, The J.W. McConnell
Family Foundation.
•Measuring Social Impact, Stanford Social Innovation Review, 2013.
•What’s your Nonprofit’s Impact? Charity Village, 2012.
•Inspiring Impact: The Code of Good Impact Practice, NCVO, 2013.
•Introduction to mixed methods in impact evaluation, Michael Bamberger,
InterAction, 2012.
•Leap of Reason: Managing to Outcomes in an Era of Scarcity, Venture Philanthropy
Partners, 2011.
•Participatory evaluation essentials: an updated guide for non-profit organizations
and their evaluation partners, The Bruner Foundation, 2010.
imaginecanada.ca/narrative
Imagine Canada, as the next stage of its National Engagement Strategy, is working with a broad
cross section of organizations to create a New Narrative about the role and contributions of the
charitable and nonprofit sector in Canada. In addition to contributing to the fabric of society
we are a significant economic force and our organizations have played a pivotal role in building
and defining our nation. The sector reflects Canadians’ values and helps to implement shared
visions. Yet we have not always been successful in sharing this story with Canadians. For more
information, please see the Narrative Tool Kit.